Schefflera taiwaniana | Heptapleurum taiwanianum

Schefflera taiwaniana, now formally Heptapleurum taiwanianum, is the plant that proved scheffleras belong outdoors in Britain. Elegant umbrella-like whorls of up to eleven narrow, glossy, dark green leaflets are carried on slim stems, building into a small evergreen tree of extraordinary poise. New growth emerges flushed bronze on chocolate stems before hardening to deep green, so the canopy is never static.Collected from coniferous forest at 2,000 to 3,000 m in the mountains of Taiwan, this is a genuinely cold-adapted plant. Rated H4, it takes around -10C once established, which puts a lush, jungle-canopy look within reach of most UK gardens. It is the definitive hardy schefflera and a cornerstone species for any collection of hardy exotics.How and where to grow Position: dappled or partial shade, sheltered from cold, drying winds. Soil: fertile, moist but well-drained, enriched with organic matter. Size: to around 4 m tall by 2.5 m wide over many years; pinch the tip young for a multi-stemmed shrub. Hardiness: H4, to around -10C established. Fleece young plants in their first hard winters. Grow it as the mid-storey of an exotic border, where its layered foliage bridges tree ferns below and taller canopy above, or as a refined specimen among plants for shade. It also thrives for years in a large container, making it one of the most rewarding plants for pots we offer. Pair it with the shrubbier Schefflera alpina 'Mountain Gem' for a study in contrasts.Every plant is UK nursery-grown and selected for strong stems and clean foliage. For honest guidance on exotics through a British winter, see our seasonal expectations guide.